To find out exactly what mistakes people make when applying for a job, a research group I participated in conducted interviews with over 150 HR Directors and companies to get their perspective.  Below is the list (not in any particular order of importance) of the most common errors job applicants make:

1. Poor personal appearance
2. Over-aggressive behavior
3. Inability to express information clearly
4. Lack of interest and enthusiasm
5. Lack of planning for career: no purpose and no goals
6. Nervous, lack of confidence and poise
7. Overemphasis on money
8. Unwilling to start at the bottom
9. Makes excuses
10. Lack of tact and courtesy
11. Lack of maturity
12. Condemns past employers
13. No genuine interest in company of job (didn’t do research)
14. Fails to look interviewer in the eye
15. Arrives late to interview
16. Fails to ask questions about the position
17. Provides vague responses to questions
18. Little sense of humor

Which of these behaviors do you think are the BIGGEST hindrances to landing the job? Post your thoughts!

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